This past Sunday, during the afternoon performance of "Mary Poppins" on Broadway in New York City, there were shouts, moans, and other noises which normally would serve as distractions to the actors, however for this particular performance, it was just fine... and even welcomed. The show was the second autism-friendly Broadway show in the history of Broadway... the first was last October's showing of the "The Lion King."

The autism-friendly shows are organized by the Theatre Development Fund, a nonprofit organization focusing on providing access to live theater for kids dealing with autism... the organization purchased all 1,797 seats for the performance and offered reduced price tickets to families with an autistic member.

Because kids suffering from autism often get nervous and react to loud noises, sudden movements, and bright lights, the cast and crew of the show changed many of the numbers and simply cut others out in order to provide less stressful environment for this particular crowd. In addition, the theater made sure that there were about 40 autism specialists roaming the theater providing assistance and support for anyone who needed it during the show.

The group is planning another autism-friendly showing of "The Lion King" this coming fall... and all signs point to it being another great success.

You can find out more about this fantastic organization by clicking the link below.http://www.tdf.org/

Dana P6

5/1/2012 07:50:58 pm

I think that this is amazing! I think that people should except people with autism in the plays. I think it is wonderful that they were able to do the musical and still be able to have people with autism come and enjoy the show.

Peter G. Per3

5/1/2012 10:13:55 pm

I think that this is a really good idea. I like that Broadway is making their shows autism-friendly. It's nice that they're doing something for people with autism so that they can enjoy it.

Julianna Period 2

5/1/2012 10:56:15 pm

I think this is great! I'm glad austism kids and adults are getting to do what everyone else can. So many times autism kids are thought of as nothing and being able to do nothing. That's not true at all! I bet the show is adorable, I'd love to go see it. One of my favorite shows stars an austism kid and he fits right in with everyone else. I'm going to try and go see the play in the fall. I hope they had a huge success with all their shows!

Julia per. 6

5/2/2012 02:05:52 am

I was really excited when Mr. X was explaining this blog. I think that it's really great that people do things like this for autistic children/teens/adults. I have worked with children who have autism many times and they weren't able to do some of the same things as the other kids could for various reasons. These children are some of the nicest people I have ever met. To think that Broadway is doing things like this for those who are affected by autism. I just thnk that this is really amazing and cool. I'm happy that people with autism have a new sense of freedom.

Emma period 6

5/2/2012 04:03:48 am

I think this is great. It must be so special for the children with autism to experience this. Although they did not see the original version of the play, I am sure they were having massive amounts of fun and laughs. It is also really kind of the people on broadway to re-do alot of the play to let these children experience some sort of freedom in what they do. This is really sweet.

Katelyn R Per 2

5/2/2012 05:21:35 am

I think this is great! Now children with autism are able to enjoy plays and have a good time. It is very nice for these shows to be made so that these kids can have a good experience just like every other kid. I am glad that these kids had a lot of fun and that Broadway is trying to make more plays for the future. I hope this becomes a huge success and many more kids can attend around the country.

Luke P6

5/2/2012 05:29:58 am

This is a great display of how we should all treat other. Treat each other in a way that you would want to be treated. This is great especially because it is for kids with disabilities. Hopefully we will see more of these types of events in the future.

masse

5/2/2012 05:56:53 am

I think that it is grate that the actresses and actors would put in all the extra effort so that the kids can enjoy the play for this one time showing.

Cara Period 2

5/2/2012 06:04:15 am

It is absolutely amazing that people put on shows with people in them who have mental disabilities. This blog is so touching, and i think it would be so fun and interesting to watch their performance. Especially being part of the U.P.P club, I think this is a great thing that the performers are doing. LOVE IT!

Gabbie Per. 1

5/2/2012 07:06:47 am

I thought this was great. I'm reading a book about a boy who has autism and I think this is great. They should do this for more musicals.!

Nikkii Period 6

5/2/2012 07:25:23 am

This is amazing. I feel that over time people with special needs have gotten more attention and recognition for what they truly are-people like you and me. For instance, Pilgrim has made great efforts to help prevent degrading terms from being used against them. There has been the creation of co-ed sports that allow both types of students to interact in friendly sport competitions. Also, some students even create events for their senior project that showcase the talent of these wonderful people. Events like these need to continue!

Cody period 3

5/2/2012 10:14:10 am

This is wonderful for both them and the Autism community, for them promoting themselves bringing more in for they're shows and being great enough to create a whole seperate show to cope to Autistic people.

Danielle Period 3

5/3/2012 05:47:51 am

This is such a wonderful idea! I like how they adjusted everything to fit everyone's needs even right down to the pitch of the voice. It's great that the actors went through with something like this even while their doing their regular shows too.

Kyle Period 4

5/3/2012 07:46:52 am

This just puts a big smile on my face. I'm really glad that people are there for people with special needs, and I'm also glad they get to experience theater, it is definitely a beautiful thing. Also, I like how people are getting more involved in kid and adults with special needs. It really shows how people care about one another. Lastly, I agree with Nikkii, things like this need to keep happening because everyone is welcome; we are all the same.

lillian p6

5/3/2012 08:32:45 am

Awww, I think this is great! I have a cousin who is 15 years old with autism and she loves going to plays, but she can’t sometimes due to the lighting and sounds that are in the plays. I’m sure she’d love to go to one of these types of plays. This is something I’ve always had a passion for and I am considering going to college for special education. I love helping kids in need and I think this is one way to make their life better!

Erica per.2

5/3/2012 10:03:00 am

This is amazing, its so great to hear about things like this. Its very difficult in this society to create a safe envirnment for some of these people with intellectual disabilities. Its great that things like this allow them to really be a part of something as important as teatre! This is really great!

Jess Period 2

5/3/2012 10:07:48 am

I think the fact that more and more events are finding ways to include people with special needs is absolutely incredible! It's so important for people who suffer from certain mental disabilities to be included in the things that everyone else is able to enjoy. Just because they have a special need does not mean they should be excluded from certain things. I'm sure the people suffering from autism enjoyed the theater so much as well as their families probably did as well because they were in such an accepting, safe environment!

Mel Per 2

5/3/2012 10:21:42 am

I think this is so great! The opportunity it gives families is really amazing. Everyone in that theater is accepting of one another as they all are in a family with an autistic member. I also feel like music and theater are very expressive art forms and everyone should experience them. This is a really cool organization and I’m glad they are so successful and I hope they have more successful performances in the future.

Shawn Period 3

5/3/2012 09:35:22 pm

I think this is a wonderful idea. I think they should have a lot more of these, not just for kids that have autism but kids with other unfortunate problems

Anneliese period 6

5/4/2012 04:57:48 am

This is a really great idea for people with Autism, and other disabilities. It's good that people with disabilities can still get to experience a play, but not feel nervous in the environment. People should be accepted, even if they have a disability.

Drisanna W. period 4

5/4/2012 12:27:07 pm

it's really good that shows are being altered for families with autistic family members. We don't see that much, it's good that there's still stuff like that going on.

Vence Period 6

5/4/2012 12:29:02 pm

How wonderful. No one should be left out when seeing a show. Not even those with autism should miss out. Its a great thing they're doing and it should continue for more autism kids to see.

Katariina Period 3

5/6/2012 01:47:40 am

I think that this is an amazing idea! It is amazing that people with autism can enjoy a Broadway show too. It is also great that they had reduced ticket prices for these families. They should definitely have more of these shows.

Sara Period 1 & 2

5/6/2012 09:42:56 am

This is so cute!! I can't believe there are actually nice people in the world that will do such good things to people with autism. I would love to see a play just like remixed for the kids. It'd be amazing to see the difference between the plays. I'm so happy to hear people go out of their way for kid's entertainment. I'm sure it's something they'd never forget!

Greg Goodinson

5/7/2012 02:03:07 am

this is so cool. It is amazing to see how they put together this show just for these kids. It is heart warming. And i know how hard it is to put on a normal show, but to put on one like this, i can't even imagine, this is truly remarkable.

Shae T period 6

5/7/2012 05:02:21 am

I'm so proud of the people who set this program up. Honestly, I think that's awesome that they came together to create a program for autistic children so they can enjoy their time at the plays too. It is difficult to take them because the usual plays are loud and have flashes of light and whatnot but they completely re-did them so that they could be enjoyed by all crowds, and that's something to be admired for. I honestly am so proud of those people, that's amazing.

Gabe Per.

5/8/2012 02:29:13 am

I think this is a great idea. It is nice to see a positive news topic on here for once ;). I think its great that these kinds of oppurtunities are available and I'm glad that these actors are putting in the extra time.

alexandra per1

5/13/2012 08:51:17 am

its awesome to here about things like this. their needs to be a ton more things like this around the world because it gives more things for people with special needs to do and im sure it makes them feel like they can do things that everyone else can

Andrew Period 1

5/15/2012 10:54:05 pm

I loved this article and think it is truly amazing what people do to support kids and adults with Autism. Over the past year I've been concetrating a lot with Autism because I chose this topic for my Senior Project. I have learned so much, and to see that the actors are memorizing new lines for a certain amount of weeks for one show for these kids, is simply incredible!

Missy - Period one

5/30/2012 01:40:35 pm

I will be going to RIC in the fall and I will be majoring in special education. I will be focusing on Autism and I believe that this s such an amazing idea. It is very important that autistic children get the opportunity to experience things such as plays on broadway...

Doug Per,1

5/31/2012 10:08:02 am

This idea is such a great one that it should be used in all aspects of entertamint. ast week the paw sox had a peanut free day in which they did nto sell any peanuts so those with peanut allergries could attent the ga,e. I know that peanut allergies and autism are completly diffrwnr things but this story reminded me off this.

Victoria Period 4

5/31/2012 11:08:03 am

This is so astounding! It made me smile. I think it is wonderful that people do this! Because it makes them happy which makes everyone else happy. Whenever I see the mentally challenged kids smiling and laughing and all that in school it makes me smile and laugh too. I feel so bad for them though, they deserve to have some fun and be in the spotlight.

Paige Period 3

6/8/2012 02:53:47 am

I think that is amazing. Everyone deserves the right to get to go see the shows but it makes it even better that they actors and actresses put so much work and dedication in to create a show just for autistic children.

brenna p.3

6/8/2012 02:56:37 am

this is amazing! and such a great idea. the kids deffinatly deserve it

Corey Period 2

6/8/2012 06:34:54 am

I think it is great to change some of Braodway's best plays into autism friendly shows. Autism is unfortunately growing in this country and it is wonderful to provide access to Braodway shows to autistic children and their families.

Daniel period 1&2

6/9/2012 05:18:13 am

As someone who has experience with how sensitive things can be with someone with autism. You must change things around so they feel comfortable and safe. I am happy to say I work with students like this and will continue to.

breannah 6

6/9/2012 06:01:16 am

Wow, thats great. I hope more places start doing these types of things. I think its amazing and should be done more often. I think its really nice that peole with autism and other disabilities are able to do more and more things due to people caring and working to make things more enjoyable, like the broadway people setting up these special veiwings. Keep it up.

Carrie Period 6

6/9/2012 09:42:23 am

I think that this is a great program! I think that it's great that people with autism get to have the same experiences as everyone else, and be embraced. I wish there were more opportunities like these. Especially because it is a fact that every person knows someone that is autistic or knows someone that knows an autistic person.